Women and power

In Classical Civilisation (OCR GCSE), the topic 'Women and power' explores the roles, representations, and limitations of women in ancient Greek and Roman societies. You will study how women were portrayed in literature, myth, and historical sources, and how they exercised influence despite being largely excluded from formal political power. Key figures include Clytemnestra, Medea, Dido, and Livia, whose stories reveal tensions between female agency and patriarchal control. This topic is crucial for understanding how ancient societies constructed gender roles and how these ideas have shaped Western thought.

The study of women and power is not just about listing famous women; it's about analysing the cultural and social frameworks that defined their lives. You'll examine how male authors like Homer, Euripides, and Virgil depicted women, and consider whether these portrayals reinforce or challenge stereotypes. You'll also look at historical evidence, such as the legal status of women in Athens and Rome, and the few exceptions like the Ptolemaic queens or the Roman empresses. This topic connects to broader themes of citizenship, family, and morality in the ancient world.

Mastering this topic requires you to evaluate sources critically, recognising bias and context. For example, when reading Euripides' Medea, you must consider how a male playwright in 5th-century Athens might have used a powerful female character to explore contemporary anxieties about women, foreigners, and the breakdown of social order. Similarly, in the Aeneid, Dido's passion and eventual suicide reflect Augustan ideals of duty versus personal desire. By comparing Greek and Roman attitudes, you'll gain a nuanced understanding of how power operated across different ancient cultures.